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Sunday, February 28, 2016

Here are more pages from the scrapbook I kept in 1976-1977 as the Reporter-Historian of the Texas A&M University Recreation and Parks Club, being posted here in anticipation of the 50th anniversary of the Recreation, Park, and Tourism Sciences Department. These pages summarize the programs and guest speakers at meetings of the club during the Fall 1976 semester.

When he received his 30-year service award with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) on August 28, 2003, it was noted that Steve Jones '75 (pictured at right), who spoke to the club on September 21, 1976, "began his career with TPWD at Lake Somerville State Park as a seasonal employee, where he hauled garbage and cleaned restrooms, for $1.49 an hour.

After four years as assistant park manager, Steve left and became the manager at Possum Kingdom State Park, where he worked for 12 years. In 1989, Steve became the manager at Lake Mineral Wells State Park and Trailway. During this time at Lake Mineral Wells, he has been instrumental in building and opening the Lake Mineral Wells State Trailway in 1996, the Administration Training Center in 1999 and the 750-person Lone Star Amphitheater in 2002.

...He has worked with those communities in that area as well as or better than anybody in this entire Agency. When you pull into Mineral Wells and that part of Texas, they know who Steve Jones is. He is very active in the community, has been very involved in youth target range development, shooting areas for young people and for shooting clubs."

Jones retired in 2007.

Left: Vic Penuel from the Alcohol Division of the Brazos County Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center, spoke to the R&P Club about their programs and volunteer opportunities on November 2, 1976.

Below: Ronnie Gibson and Steve Kline '76 with the Lincoln Recreation Center in College Station, also spoke to the club on November 2, 1976, about their programs and volunteer opportunities. Steve also advised that RP 311 (Community Recreation Programs) and RP 340 (Recreation for Special Populations) to be especially helpful in his career.